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Weather Forecast

Rain will continue to fall, flooding possible

A vehicle creates a wall of spray as it hits deep water at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and St. Marie Street in Duluth Wednesday afternoon. Crews from the city of Duluth cleared the storm drain allowing for the water to leave the intersection. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com1 / 4

A vehicle navigates deep water at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and St. Marie Street in Duluth Wednesday afternoon. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com2 / 4

City of Duluth crews check the storm drain at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and St. Marie Street in Duluth where rainwater covered the intersection Wednesday afternoon. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com3 / 4

A vehicle creates a wake as it travels through deep water at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and St. Marie Street in Duluth Wednesday afternoon. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com4 / 4

Rain will continue to fall across the region through Thursday evening, with heaviest rainfall expected to occur Wednesday night, the National Weather Service in Duluth said.

The Twin Ports, Carlton County and North Shore are expected to see up to 1.5 inches of rain through Thursday evening. The rest of the Northland is expected to up to 1 inch of rain.

With temperatures above freezing through Thursday, snowmelt will add to the amount of standing water, according to the Weather Service. The combination of rain and snowmelt can cause flooding on streets and in basements, and cause ice-dam backups on roofs.

The Weather Service is warning that the added weight of rain-soaked snow on roofs may cause them to collapse, especially on barns and outbuildings. Any rain that is not absorbed by the snow could cause flooding issues, especially in urban areas due to blocked storm drains.

As of Wednesday night there had already been multiple reports of water over roads and ponding on some roads.

Most of Northeastern Minnesota as well as northern Wisconsin is under a flood watch through Thursday evening.

North-central Minnesota could see some snow Thursday. According the Weather Service, Koochiching County could see around 1-3 inches of snow, but higher amounts are possible. Koochiching County is under a winter weather advisory through Thursday evening.